10 Life Hacks Every Bitwarden User Should Know
Built-in password managers from Google and Apple are pretty good these days. But if you switch between multiple devices and operating systems, a dedicated cross-platform password manager like Bitwarden can really help. It’s open source, uses encryption by default, and most of its features are free on all platforms. You can even use it to sync passwords and two-factor authentication codes across all your platforms. But simply using Bitwarden’s password storage and autofill apps isn’t enough. Because you’re dealing with highly sensitive passwords and secure records, you should take additional steps to protect your data and simplify the password management process (without compromising your security).
Use additional authentication to secure your Bitwarden account.
Your Bitwarden account is valuable, and protecting it should be your priority. While you should set a long but easy-to-remember master password, it’s a good idea to add a second layer of security. Bitwarden supports several two-factor authentication methods for your vault. Go to Settings > Security > Two-Step Verification to get started. While you can set up simple email authentication, it’s best to use something more sophisticated. If you prefer a software-based method, set up two-factor authentication with a separate authenticator app (such as Google Authenticator). For the most secure protection, use a hardware key, such as a YubiKey —if you have Bitwarden Premium. While two-factor authentication via an authenticator app is very secure, a hardware key ensures that only those with physical access to the key can access your Bitwarden vault.
Use the Bitwarden button instead of autofill for increased security.
Autofill is incredibly convenient. With the Bitwarden extension or app installed, it will prompt you to enter passwords with a single tap. Furthermore, Bitwarden also offers an “Autofill on Page Load” feature that will automatically fill in your password details without even waiting for your confirmation. This is convenient, but it does pose a security risk, as anyone with access to your device can immediately log into your accounts. Fortunately, this feature is disabled by default. If it’s enabled, you can disable it by going to Settings > Autofill .
To improve your account security, disable autofill completely by going to Settings > Autofill > Show autofill suggestions in form fields . Instead, use the Bitwarden button in the extension’s panel. When you open your Bitwarden vault with the extension, it will first display available autofill suggestions for the current websites, which you can select to manually autofill. This is a more secure option because, as you’ll see below, your Bitwarden vault can be locked with a PIN or biometrics—this strikes a balance between the convenience of autofill and added security.
Reduce the timeout for the Bitwarden browser extension to prevent tracking.
Again, for convenience, Bitwarden won’t lock you out until you restart your browser or computer, which can take several weeks. However, there is an option that forces you to unlock your vault after a few minutes of inactivity (or after each use). Go to Settings > Account Security , and under Session Timeout , click the Timeout drop-down menu . Here, you can use the “Immediately” option to lock yourself out after each use, or “1 minute” to give yourself some time. In the “Action after timeout ” drop-down menu, you can choose between “Lock” and “Logout.” If you choose “Logout,” you’ll have to log back in using your Master Password. “Lock” is the best option for most people, as it allows for easier (but more secure) unlocking of the vault.
Use biometrics to unlock the vault on trusted devices.
The Bitwarden desktop and mobile apps support biometric authentication, so you can unlock your vault using Face ID or Touch ID on Apple devices, or your fingerprint on Android and Windows devices. To set this up, open the Bitwarden app and go to Settings > Security . Then, enable this feature in the browser extension, if you use one. Go to Settings > Account Security and, under Unlock Options , enable ” Unlock with Biometrics ” to enable biometric scanning. If you prefer the old-fashioned way, you can also use ” Unlock with PIN ” to open your vault with a unique PIN.
Make Bitwarden your default app for autofilling passwords and access keys on iOS and Android.
Passwords combine the convenience of regular passwords with the security of two-factor authentication (2FA). These are cryptographically generated keys that are securely stored on your device or in a password service. Authentication occurs using your device’s biometrics, such as Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint scanner. Traditionally, each device required its own password and verification. But now you can add a password to a service like Apple Passwords or Bitwarden, and the same key can be used on all your supported devices.
The next time you create a new account, use the “Access Key” option for authentication. As long as you’re logged in to Bitwarden on your computer (via the app), you’ll have the option to save access keys in your vault. Bitwarden supports built-in autofill on both iOS and Android. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Autofill & Passwords and ensure “Autofill Passwords and Access Keys” is enabled. Then, enable the Bitwarden app and disable other autofill apps for a better experience. On Android, go to Settings > Autofill > Autofill Services > Bitwarden.
Use Bitwarden for two-factor authentication and ditch the Authenticator app.
If you use Bitwarden to manage your passwords but another app for two-factor authentication codes, you know how inconvenient this can be when logging into websites. Instead of two systems, you can add two-factor authentication codes to the Bitwarden extension. This way, Bitwarden can generate and fill one-time passwords regardless of your location. This works in both browsers and computers. Setting up two-factor authentication in Bitwarden is the same as with any other authentication service : scan a QR code or use a link to add an account to your Bitwarden vault. ( The company also provides a detailed guide on this .)
Of course, storing everything in one system reduces security somewhat. If someone gains access to your Bitwarden vault, they’ll also have access to your two-factor authentication codes. If you want to avoid having all your data stored in one bucket, you can use the standalone Bitwarden Authenticator app , which doesn’t require login. It works similarly to Google Authenticator, is mobile-only, and won’t be linked to your vault.
Use Bitwarden to securely share passwords and files with other users for a limited period of time.
Sharing passwords in plaintext is extremely risky. But sometimes you need to share an account password with a friend or colleague working remotely. In this case, Bitwarden’s “Send” feature can be very useful. You can send any password in plaintext or upload a file (though this requires Bitwarden Premium). Go to the “Send” tab in the Bitwarden app or extension and click “New Send” to get started. Here, you can name the transfer and add additional details if desired. You can choose when the link will automatically delete and set a password for it for added security.
Add trusted contacts to your Bitwarden account for emergency access.
In the event of an emergency and you’re unable to access your vault with all your protected notes, you can designate a trusted person to do so on your behalf. Bitwarden’s Emergency Access feature is highly customizable, allowing you to choose the level of access that best suits your needs. You can allow trusted people to only view your data or grant them full access to your entire account. To get started, go to the Bitwarden website, then Settings > Emergency Access .
Use autocomplete keyboard shortcuts to save time.
Don’t underestimate Bitwarden’s keyboard shortcuts. By default, a simple keyboard shortcut of Command/Control + Shift + L will open Bitwarden and autofill the last used password for the current website. If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, Bitwarden will also copy the 2FA code to the clipboard. All you have to do is press Control/Command + V to paste it into the text field. Press Enter to log in. On the Extension Shortcuts page in Chrome, you can also assign custom keyboard shortcuts for locking your vault, generating a new random password, and opening the Bitwarden extension.
To improve security, a master password will be required when accessing secure notes and bank account passwords.
It’s great that you’ve enabled PIN lock and face scanning. But for especially important features, like accessing secure notes and entering bank account passwords, you might want to go even further. Bitwarden has a feature that forces you to re-enter your master password to access your secure data. Even if someone gains access to your Bitwarden account while your device is unlocked, they still won’t be able to access your truly important data. To set this up, go to any item (secure note or login), tap “Edit,” scroll down, and enable “Re-require master password.”